Hey everybody! My name is Danielle and I am new to this site..

Up until about a year ago I never had any weight problems. All of that changed when I switched my birth control.. well within 2 months I had put on 20lbs... and have not been able to lose any since! AHH help. I would love to return to my original size.. or even close.

My goal is to lose 20lbs. I need help formulating a good diet/exercise routine... would like to create a partial liquid diet on my own... suggestions for protein shake powders, diet drinks, soups etc. Anything will help.

Also, for exercise I would like to start walking.. (how much does walking really help? I know I am very ignorant when it comes to weight loss) And I am doing some Mari Windsor DVDs which I actually like (they are only about 20-30 minutes long)

I am currently 135 but a year ago I was 115. I would like to at least break 120.

Also, not sure if it matters but most of my weight gain seems to be in my legs.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Welcome to 3FC and good luck! You've come to the right place for support and information. And yes, walking DOES help a LOT, I promise.

Welcome. I suggest you look for a Support Group or Challenge to join; a small group of friends to help keep you motivated, find one that inspires you or fits your needs, and just post to join.

Welcome to the site!!! Walking does help a lot, actually...and diet and exercise is the only way to take it off and keep it off.

Welcome to 3FC, we are glad you are here!

Welcome Danielle

To answer the question in the title of your post, is 20 lbs in 2 months too much? I dunno, but I do know that it's recommended that you lose 1 to 2 lbs per week, which would be 8 to 16 lbs in 8 weeks/2 months. However, everyone's body and metabolism is different, and many people lose weight quickly at first because they are losing that initial water weight, so I would say that if you pick a plan and stick to it faithfully, yes, you could possibly lose it all in 2 months. However, it's important that you set a goal that is do-able, and don't put such tremendous pressure on yourself that if you don't make progress as fast as you'd like, you give up. Think about it, if you don't lose all 20 lbs in 2 months, if you only lose 10 or 12 or so, you'd still feel a lot better, and if it ended up taking 3 months, it wouldn't be that big a deal, would it? So instead of thinking "I have to lose all of this FAST! ", why not set small, realistic, do-able mini-goals -- time goes by real fast, and if you stick to your plan, before you know it, the 20 lbs will be gone.

What's most important is that you change your eating habits so that once you lose it, you can maintain that loss. You can find all kinds of advice and support for that here -- look around at the various forums and pick one or two and start posting. I might suggest that you try the "Featherweights" -- I read a lot of posts there when I first joined last week, but didn't choose to post in that one because I didn't think it was a fit for me, but you may feel at home there -- many of the members seem to be just about where you are weight-wise.

Again, welcome, and I wish you success with your weight loss.

In highschool, I'd walk 2 hours every morning and I lost 50lbs in 4 months.

Hello and welcome. I'm new and getting great support and advice on here. I know that sometimes if you lose weight very quickly, it goes back on just as quickly. 1-2lbs a week is recommended as the most to aim to lose. 2 months=8weeks@ 2lbs per week= 16lbs. Thats as near as dammit is to swearing and will certainly make you look and feel better.
Hubby and I have been hill walkers for 34 years, but I have gained so much weight that the walking on uneven ground is a bit painful on the joints and I miss it so I'm taking the long view and just tackling 10lbs at a time, so will probably still be on here at Christmas.
The very best of luck to you.

Thanks everyone for your support! I look forward to chatting with all of you and meeting our goals together! Thanks again :]

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

thanks for sharing....